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Aluminum Properties 3

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LPPE

LPPE

Structural
Joined
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Anyone know where I can find structural properties of aluminum? Also, what is the most common aluminum alloy used for structural shapes? What shapes are readily available? And are there any special design considerations (ASD, LRFD)? Thanks
 
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Contructor provided information for project I was working on: Alloy for plate/sheet - Alclad 6061, Class - T6, Maximum Allowable Stress (for temprature from -20 to 200 deg. F) equal to 9.5 ksi. Minimum Yield Strength = 32 ksi.
 
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there is a Aluminum design manual that my company recently purchased that I recomend highly....there are many design examples. If you are not familier with aluminum design you really need this...I think it was like 40 bucks. The web site is
 
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Most common aluminum alloys for structural shapes are 6061-T6 and 6063-T6. I typically use ASD.

Be sure to note that allowable stress within 1 inch of a weld are significantly reduced because of the change in temper associated with the weld heat affected zone.
 
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matweb.com - good place... I checked the aluminum.org and the design manual was $175 for nonmember. But I gather it would be quite helpful.
Does anyone know what struct. shapes are readily available? Basically looking for HSS's. Also, who fabricates aluminum? Does the local steel fabricator have the capacity to do it, or are there special fabricators?
 
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I don't know if it's still available, but ALCAN publishes(ed) a small manual titled "Strength of Aluminum", including some information on Limits States Design. It also has design information on aluminum extrusions produced by ALCAN.
 
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Backing up par060, the Aluminum Design Manual he spoke of has everything you would need for aluminum design, including a design guide, commentaries, specifications, material properties and design examples.

I highly recommend getting this if you think you'll be doing any aluminum design in the future - the $175 is well worth it (especially since I didn't have to pay for it out of my own pocket!).
 
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Pylko...check the Aluminum Association for producers of shapes ( HSS shapes are readily available. Many manufacturers of aluminum structural systems (canopies, shading systems, etc.) have their own proprietary shapes and have them produced by an extruding company. This process allows more optimization of members than using the standard structural shapes.
 
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"Aluminum Structures - A Guide to Their Specifications & Design" by Kissell & Ferry, published by John Wiley is an excellent textbook.
I highly recommend it if you want a decent understanding of the differences between steel and aluminum design.
 
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whymrg (or anyone): Thanks for your helpful post. Are you sure about that 9.5 ksi yield allowable for Al 6061-T6 listed above? I thought Al 6061-T6 was slightly stronger than A36 steel and almost as ductile. lists it as yield strength, 275 MPa (40 ksi), so why would yield allowable for 6061-T6 be only 0.44 of A36? Thanks.
 
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That reduced allowable tensile stress is for the material within 1 inch of a weld. The allowable tensile stress of 6061-T6 in areas other than near a weld varies from about 17 ksi to 28 ksi, depending upon the shape.
 
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A blast from the past!

When an architect says " 4" wide x 18" deep .060 painted aluminum trim", the .060 is the sheet thickness, correct? approximately 16 gage?
 
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yes, 16 GA ~ 0.0598"
 
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I used to do structural for the Navy. One thing I especially remember is 6061 T6 is expressly forbidden on US Navy ships because it exfoliates with exposure to salt spray. If you are working near the ocean be very careful with alloy selection. I am glad to hear there is a manual now. I had to get different books from each manufacturer and availabilty of shapes and sizes was very limited.
 
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Just saw a book in a mailer I got from Wiley, publishers of Arch Graphic Stds. The book is called "Aluminum Structures A Guide to Their Specifications and Design" Don't know how good it is, don't have a copy, but it is 544 pages $130.00. 1-877-762-2974 or
 
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Try Aluminum Alloy Structures by Federico M. Mazzolani. For software, STAAD implements the 1997 Aluminum code with all sections/properties and alloys supported.
 
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wktaylor (Aeronautics) Jul 23, 2002
zerozed...

Go to
On the form line DODISS ID Number:

Enter mil-hdbk-5 ... then down-load it. Caution: MIL-HDBK-5 is a huge *.pdf file[(+,-)45MB]. Note: there is/are (an)other website that has sections of MIL-HDBK-5 on-line... but can't find the address.

NOTE: MIL-HDBK-5 has solid mechanical values for EVERY conventional aerospace alloy... especially 2024 alloy... and many fasteners. Keep the down-loaded copy for future ref. NOTE: the FAA generally accepts MIL-HDBK-5 values as "authoritative".

There are other sources of data, such as the CINDAS aerospace metals handbooks [multi-volumes]... but not on-line.

NOTE: Many/most technical Libraries will have a paper copy of MIL-HDBK-5 or the CINDAS Pubs "on-the-shelf".

PS: always use "A" mechanical property values, unless You have strict control of the purchasing process... see the HDBK for

Regards, Wil Taylor
 
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dpa, 6061 is allowed on U.S. Navy ships for non-structural applications or when yield stresses are below 9,500 psi.

cheers
 
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I think the address being referred to by wktaylor in rcrane's above post, for MIL-HDBK-5H in sections (aluminum is Chapter 3) instead of one huge download, is . To disable pop-up windows and decrease load time at above and other sites, I turn off javascript for certain (or all) URLs. I saw this tip explained at .
 
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